Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Geography

Southern Europe

Geographic Features

Mountains and Peninsulas

• Pyrenees Mountains: Form a natural border between Spain and France.
• Undersea Mountains: Contribute to the formation of many islands in Southern Europe.
• Alps: Europe's highest mountain range.
• Apennines: Run along the Italian Peninsula.
• Balkan Peninsula: Home to Greece.
• Iberian Peninsula: Location of Spain and Portugal.

Water Bodies and Climate

• Mediterranean Sea: Influences the climate and culture of Southern European countries.
• Mediterranean Climate: Characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, ideal for growing crops.
• Tagus River: The longest river in Southern Europe.
• Po River: Flows through a fertile and densely populated area in Italy.

Culture and History

Ancient Greece

• Democracy:

Trade Diversion and Creation

Trade diversion: A shift in the pattern of trade from low-cost world producers to higher-cost CU or FTA members.

-e: trade diversion

Trade creation: An expansion in world trade that results from the formation of a preferential trade arrangement.

B+d: trade creation

Rules of Origin in Regional Economic Integration

Define rules of origin and which form of regional economic integration requires them.

Rules of origin are required in Free Trade Areas to avoid trade deflection and prevent export companies from outside the FTA from benefiting unfairly. These rules are the criteria established to determine the national source of a product. They are important because duties and restrictions often depend upon the source of imports.... Continue reading "Understanding Trade Agreements: Creation, Diversion, and Types" »

Features of MRTA

In the best cases, RTAs can serve as catalysts of deeper trade liberalization, focal points of inter-state cooperation, incubators of new WTO+1 trade rules, drivers of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and testing grounds for mechanisms to adjust to a more open trading environment.

Challenges of NAFTA

First, the business of shipping goods across borders needs an overhaul. Crossing from Mexico to the United States, waiting times are far too long; much of the infrastructure is antiquated; railway and haulage crews still change over at the border. Measures to allow the pre-clearance of goods before they reach the frontier are held up by America’s needless insistence that its customs agents should be allowed to carry guns, against... Continue reading "NAFTA: Benefits, Challenges, and the Gravity Model" »

Endangered Animals

Pollution is very bad for the world because it causes many problems.

Firstly, there are problems such as degradation of the landscape, deforestation, fires, damage to nature, and pollution of the seas, streets, and atmosphere. In addition, pollution affects both people and animals, leading to diseases, allergies, cancer, and other health issues.

Secondly, there are solutions such as using public transport, cycling, or walking instead of cars, and replacing old household appliances with new energy-efficient ones.

In my opinion, we must take action to improve the world, as the consequences of pollution are severe.

Tourism

The tourism industry

Tourism is the temporary movement of people from their place of residence to another place in order to enjoy their free time. Tourism is therefore related to leisure. The development of the tourism industry involves creating the necessary transport and hospitality infrastructure to meet demand: airports, roads, accommodation, restaurants, etc. The main characteristic of the tourism industry is seasonal variation or seasonality.

Repercussions of tourism

It represents a significant source of revenue for a country. It creates jobs, but many of them are temporary, due to seasonality. It improves cultural relations between citizens of different countries. Destroys natural landscapes. In developing countries, the destination... Continue reading "The Impact of Tourism on the Environment and Economy" »

The construction sector in Barranquilla presents significant advantages, but the risks associated with increased building development could cause serious problems for the city and its society. Conversely, halting construction could hinder population management. Barranquilla, known as the "Golden Door" of Colombia, plays a crucial role in commerce. The most significant risks of new construction in Barranquilla are environmental damage and population increase. On the other hand, if Barranquilla stops these kinds of projects, it may not grow as a commercial city.

Environmental Impact of Construction

Construction activities pose considerable environmental threats due to the extensive use of chemicals and the reduction of oxygen in the air. Therefore,... Continue reading "Construction in Barranquilla: Risks and Advantages" »

Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe is considered the father of postcolonial literature. His works reflect the effects of colonization in Nigeria. Nigeria became a British colony in the late 19th century, and, contrary to what had happened in Canada or the United States, Nigeria was under indirect rule, meaning that they used native authorities as rulers, and only a few English people actually settled in the country. Nigeria achieved its independence in 1960.

British Colonization and Its Impact

One of Britain's commercial interests that led to colonization was the trade in palm oil, which was very valuable and a much-needed material.

Furthermore, the English language, Christianity, and an English education system began developing with colonization. Nigeria... Continue reading "Chinua Achebe: The Father of Postcolonial Literature" »

The American Food Industry

From Farm to Factory

Global Food Insecurity

Today, with a global population of 7.8 billion, approximately 15% face challenges accessing food and drinkable water. The shift from rural to urban living, with over half the population now residing in cities, has transformed our relationship with food.

The Rise of Industrialized Agriculture

Population growth and urbanization have led to significant changes in food production. The development of tractors and other agricultural tools increased productivity, while advancements in chemistry, such as GMOs and pesticides, boosted production per square mile. This led to the adoption of Fordist principles, increasing scale and transforming agriculture into a factory system.

In recent... Continue reading "The American Food Industry: From Farm to Factory" »